Bazaar Arabia Escapes To The Peninsula Paris For A Regal Retreat
The Peninsula Paris fuses French grandeur and Asian hospitality, offering guests an elegant sanctuary moments from the Arc de Triomphe
In a city filled with opulent palaces, grand museums and impressive historic sites, it truly says something when a hotel is referred to as “little Versailles.” And, from the moment you step into the lofty atrium of this Beaux-Arts heritage building, located on Avenue Kleber – think gold leaf, gleaming marble and rich wood finishes plus a hand-blown 900-piece Dancing Leaves glass chandelier – you know that the moniker is entirely justified.
There’s a reason that this property is often considered a spot to tick off an already very full Parisian bucket-list for visitors. If you aren’t lucky enough to call it home by taking up residence in one of its 200 palatial rooms and suites, then its worth coming to admire one of its three signature restaurants.
A highlight? L’Oiseau, its fine dining stalwart helmed by chef David Bizet, which serves up incredible Eiffel Tower views from its sixth-floor perch alongside intricate degustation menus lauded by all the gastronomic guides. If you’re looking to swap cuisines, given its Far Eastern pedigree, Cantonese LiLi is a theatrical treat, while Le Lobby (which inspired Gershwin to pen An American in Paris) is the ideal place to lounge and people-watch while enjoying Anne Coruble’s intricate pastry confections.
Given the hotel’s location, ideal for perusing boutiques, post-retail therapy pampering is another perk on offer at the sprawling spa – the largest one in a Parisian hotel – complete with 25-metre pool. Book the Essence of Jade signature massage, launched to celebrate the spa’s tenth anniversary and entirely tailored to the client’s needs, it is inspired by Chinese medicine and promises balance and rejuvenation. Delightful.
This property has always inspired creatives – Proust, Picasso and Stravinsky were all regulars – cossetted high society, and ensured the rich and famous had a place to call home during Parisian sojourns. It is no wonder that the lauded Hong Kong-based Peninsula group chose this spot to plant their first flag in Europe. And given its still-meticulous standards, it’s clear that the flag is still flying extremely high.
What to order: Book in advance for the Saturday brunch at LiLi; you’ll feast on all the eatery’s delicacies like dim sum and Peking duck, in a very chic atmosphere.
Getting there: Emirates operates 21 flights per week to Paris so you could be saying ‘bonjour’ in under eight hours; emirates.com.
For more information visit peninsula.com
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia January 2026 Issue